This book investigates how the path-dependent nature of localized technological change necessitates a shift toward the economics of complexity to fully grasp the mechanisms of innovation. Cristiano Antonelli, a scholar in the field of evolutionary economics, utilizes a framework that bridges traditional innovation theory with complex systems analysis. He argues that technological progress is not a uniform global phenomenon but is instead constrained by local conditions, historical trajectories, and specific institutional environments. By integrating these perspectives, the author provides a rigorous analytical model for understanding how firms and industries navigate technological shifts.

Experts in evolutionary economics identify this text as a significant contribution to the study of path dependency and industrial change. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which is intended for researchers and advanced students of economic theory.